Once you’ve selected the right VA, it’s contract time. VAs normally work with either a formal contract or a detailed letter of agreement that you both sign.

She may first ask you to sign a short-term contract covering just the initial project.

“I always do a small contract with someone before I offer a long-time contract. I, as a VA, want to make sure that the relationship is a good one before I go beyond that,” says Angela Allen, vice president of the International Virtual Assistants Association. That’s smart for you as the client also.

Expect the VA to develop the contract or letter of agreement. She is far more familiar with the VA field than a new client. And, “She is the one being engaged for a professional service. She isn’t being hired in the usual sense,” says Stacy Brice, president of AssistU, which trains and certifies Virtual Assistants.

Disagree with parts of the contract? The VA might negotiate with you, but might also decide that the changes aren’t worth it to her. Before signing, “do your due diligence and pass it by whoever you need to in order to feel comfortable,” Allen advises.

Assuming you’re happy with the VA and have regular work needs, arrange a discounted monthly retainer fee for a set block of time. Experienced VAs are good at estimating how long projects will take to complete, but she should let you know when nearing the end of your guaranteed hours so there aren’t surprises.

She’ll be glad to sign a confidentiality agreement. “Confidentiality is part of our professional ethics,” points out Brice. “She’d have no reason not to sign one.”

But don’t expect her to be bonded or hold professional liability insurance unless her work frequently involves possible conflicts. Although the credentialing organizations recommend it, insurance is expensive, and is rarely bought because it is rarely needed. Insist on it, of course, if she will have access to your bank account.